# Helm — Your Phone, Your Terms — Build better screen habits > Physical device-based focus app to block distractions and build better screen habits. (iPhone/iPad app by BestSelf Co.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helm-your-phone-your-terms/id6743525335 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [BestSelf Co](https://appshunter.io/developer/1800785302) - Category: Productivity, Lifestyle - Price: Free - Rating: 4.30/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 49 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2025-08-15 - Data updated: 2026-09-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helm-your-phone-your-terms/id6743525335/reviews.md ## What is Helm? Your phone wasn't designed to let you focus. Helm was. Most focus apps fail because they're too easy to disable. One tap and you're back to doom-scrolling. Helm is different. It uses a physical device you keep away from your desk, so you can't just tap your way out of focus mode. When you want to focus, tap your Helm. When you're done, tap it again. No willpower required. — **HOW IT WORKS** 1. Create a mode: choose which apps to block 2. Start a session from the app or by tapping your Helm 3. Distracting apps are blocked instantly 4. Tap your Helm to end when you're done That's it. Simple by design. — **APP LIMITS** Set daily limits on apps outside of focus sessions: • 30 minutes of Instagram per day • 10 opens of Twitter • 1 hour of TikTok Hit your limit and the app blocks until tomorrow. Choose your enforcement level from Casual to Locked. — **HEALTH GOALS** Make screen time earn-able. Set step or exercise goals that must be completed before limited apps unlock: • Walk 5,000 steps to unlock Instagram • Complete 30 minutes of exercise to access TikTok • Hit your daily move goal before checking email Connect to Apple Health and turn movement into your unlock key. Your health data stays on your device and is never uploaded anywhere. — **UNLOCK CONDITIONS** End focus sessions on your terms. Set requirements to unlock: • Tap your Helm • Complete a minimum session time • Hit your step goal • Finish your workout Stack conditions or keep it simple. Your focus, your rules. — **BLOCK WHAT DISTRACTS YOU** Choose which apps to block during focus sessions. Social media, games, news, dating apps, whatever pulls you away from what matters. Helm uses Screen Time on iOS to block apps at the system level. No workarounds. — **FOCUS MODES** Create different modes for different contexts: • Deep Work: block everything except essentials • Writing: allow music, block everything else • Meetings: block social media only • Wind Down: block stimulating apps before bed Switch modes with a single tap. — **SCHEDULES** Automate your focus. Set recurring schedules that block apps automatically: • Weekday mornings for deep work • Evenings for family time • Weekends for digital detox Your apps block on schedule. No decision fatigue. — **BREAKS & LIFELINES** Need a quick break during a session? Take one. Helm includes built-in breaks so you can step away without ending your session. Need emergency access to a blocked app? Use a lifeline. Limited uses keep you honest, but you're never truly stuck. — **GUARDIAN MODE** For those who need extra accountability. Guardian Mode locks your settings behind your Helm device. You can't change blocked apps, disable schedules, or reduce limits without physically tapping your Helm. Hide it in a drawer, give it to a friend, leave it at the office. Your future self will thank you. — **STATISTICS** Track your progress: • Daily focus time and sessions • Weekly trends and streaks • Monthly insights • Lifetime focus hours See how your habits change over time. — **WHY A PHYSICAL DEVICE?** Because the hardest part of focus isn't starting. It's not stopping. Every other app can be disabled with a few taps. Helm can't. The physical barrier creates just enough friction to make you pause and ask: "Do I really need to check this right now?" Usually, the answer is no. — **WHAT'S INCLUDED** The app is free to download and includes basic features. Full functionality requires a Helm device (sold separately at focushelm.com). Some features work without the device. App Limits and Health Goals can be used standalone. — Take back your attention. One tap at a time. ## Key features - Physical device for focus mode - App blocking during sessions - Daily app limits - Health goal unlocks - Customizable focus modes - Scheduled focus sessions - Guardian Mode for accountability ## Recent user reviews (10 of 12) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helm-your-phone-your-terms/id6743525335/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Biggest improvement in my life this year *2026-06-13* I've tried apps and other things to break phone addiction, but something about Helm just stuck. I use it and shut off my phone at 9:30 p.m. every day, and I'm forced to actually use the hardware to unlock it every morning. You fall to the level of your system, so this forces me to go to sleep early and not start my day doomscrolling. The design of the hardware feels it feels great in my hands. I love the UI of the app. occasionally I run into bugs, but the team is super responsive and has A+ customer service ### 5/5 — Very smooth *2026-04-16* One of first products tried for focus. It works! ### 5/5 — A Beautiful Game Changer! *2026-04-15* I’ve used several products like this over the years but this is the best by far. Everything is effortless and there is something about the physical product that makes me way more compliant. It’s designed beautifully as well. ### 1/5 — Non functional to create multiple schedules for morning then workday then bed…. Support zero help *2026-01-23* Not ready too many bugs **Developer response:** Since January we've shipped targeted fixes for scheduled sessions specifically: blocking now reliably activates for sessions that start in the background, overnight schedules now calculate duration correctly, and we added a retry mechanism on iOS when schedule configuration fails to load on startup. These were real gaps that affected exactly what you described — multiple schedules across a day. We've also done a *ton* of general stability work. If you're open to giving it another look, we think the experience is meaningfully better. Thanks! ### 5/5 — MY TIME BACK *2026-01-15* This is the only thing that’s worked for me, I’ve tried other distraction free apps but this one that’s actually works! I’m so thrilled to have better boundaries with my phone/social media. What a blessing this exists! ### 5/5 — World class product *2026-01-14* Always improving and shipping updates. Has helped me significantly reduce my social media usage and increase my productivity. big shout out to the team. ### 5/5 — I’m a fan! *2025-12-12* I am a world class procrastinator and don’t think anything would help. Helm actually DOES! The first time I used it I set myself for an hour but I didn’t bring the decide with me and ended up working 2.5 hours straight thru. Now I purposely leave home without it and I get so much done! The app has so many cool features no matter what your work style. ### 5/5 — Love this app *2025-12-11* Helm is legit. Really like the app. And the physical piece has substantial, aerospace-brass weight. The kind of heft that makes you take it seriously. It doesn't feel like a gadget or a gimmick. It feels like a tool that belongs on your desk for the next decade. The tactile quality is genuinely beautiful. Something you want to pick up and hold. And that matters. Lots of things other focus solutions feel disposable. Helm feels like a commitment. You don't toss something this well-made in a drawer. You buy this thing for a family member as a gift, and you feel good about it. Their packaging says it perfectly: "In a world engineered to fragment your attention, Helm is your physical boundary." That's the bet I'm making. Not that an app will save me (but this app is delightful to use) but that a physical object with heft might create the ritual I need. The early signs are good. If you've tried the software approaches and they haven't stuck, this is a fundamentally different category of thing. ### 2/5 — It Works But... *2025-12-07* If you want to add new apps to block you have to delete the app and re-download it just to get it to block. Make sure you have your list accurate or you're gonna be going back and forth. **Developer response:** Thank you for this feedback! We've been working day and night over the past few weeks to improve the app, and this was clearly a bug that slipped through, so sorry about that. It's now fixed! You can add or remove apps from your block list anytime without reinstalling. We'd really love for you to give the new version a try. We're a small team that's constantly improving Helm, and we have some exciting updates in the works. If you ever run into anything else, don't hesitate to reach out. ### 5/5 — Helps with focus while looking good *2025-10-27* The Helm has been huge for me. I get super distracted when trying to get things done for work or around the house. Locking my phone of everything distracting has made a huge difference. And it looks so nice I can keep it out in the open which helps me actually use it versus some competitors I had tried. ## Frequently asked questions about Helm ### Does Helm have ads? No, Helm is ad-free. The app is free to use and does not contain advertisements, allowing for an uninterrupted focus experience. ### What devices does Helm support? Helm is available on iPhone and iPad, leveraging iOS Screen Time functionality to block apps at the system level. ### How does Helm's physical device work? The physical Helm device acts as a physical switch to start and end focus sessions. This prevents users from easily disabling focus mode by simply tapping on their phone. ### Can I set specific times for Helm to block apps? Yes, Helm allows you to create custom schedules for automated focus sessions. You can set recurring blocks for weekdays, evenings, or weekends to manage your app usage. ### What are 'Health Goals' in Helm? Health Goals allow you to link physical activity, like steps or exercise, to unlocking limited apps. You must complete these goals before certain apps become accessible. ### How does Guardian Mode enhance accountability? Guardian Mode locks your Helm settings behind the physical device. This means you cannot change blocked apps, disable schedules, or reduce limits without physically interacting with your Helm. ### What is the age rating for Helm? Helm has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users looking to manage their screen time. ### How often is Helm updated? Helm was last updated on March 16, 2026, indicating active development and ongoing support for the application. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.6.7 — 2026-08-16 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 1.6.6 — 2026-05-14 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 1.6.4 — 2026-05-05 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 1.6.2 — 2026-04-29 - New, cleaner session start flow for manual and timed sessions - Improved Helm hold-to-start interaction - More reliable session restore, breaks, and schedule handling - Updated mode editing experience - General stability improvements and bug fixes ### 1.6.1 — 2026-04-22 - More accurate session stats - Faster launch with no more black screen while Helm restores your session. - General performance update & small bug fixes ## Apps similar to Helm | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Voicepal: your AI Ghostwriter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/voicepal-your-ai-ghostwriter/id6471552007) | 4.9 (648) | Free | Productivity | | [Akiflow: AI Planner & Calendar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/akiflow-ai-planner-and-calendar/id1621279084) | 4.2 (189) | Free | Productivity | | [Martin: Personal Assistant](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/martin-personal-assistant/id6453473083) | 4.3 (262) | Free | Productivity | | [Bloom - Conquer Screen Time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bloom-conquer-screen-time/id6736728158) | 4.8 (2,423) | Free | Productivity | | [Reflect Notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reflect-notes/id1575595407) | 4.7 (85) | Free | Productivity | | [Recall: Summarize & save](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recall-summarize-and-save/id6445893722) | 4.0 (49) | Free | Productivity | ## Related topics [helm](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/helm) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-10.*